Describe And Evaluate Two Theories In Developmental Psychology

This assignment will describe and evaluate two theories in Developmental Psychology - specifically looking at attachment. The two theories that will be covered are Learning theory and Bowlby’s theory. Gross et Al (2009) defines attachment as a reciprocal, deep emotional bond between a child and the attachment figure that sets up the internal working template for all future attachments. Bailey et Al (2008) explain that although feelings may not be visible we can observe the conduct of the parties in question to determine if an attachment has been formed.

Cardwell and Flanagan (2009), writes that Learning theory supports the formation of attachments through Operant or Classical conditioning and Social Learning. Classical conditioning surmises …show more content…
The research conducted by Schaffer and Emerson (1964, cited in Gross, 2008) suggests that there are other reasons for the development of attachments, as 39% of infants in their study were attached to someone other than the main caregiver. Further the studies conducted by Harlow (1959, cited in Bailey, 2008) that saw infant monkeys returning to the cloth mother for comfort and only using the wire monkey to feed. Although Monkeys are the closest primates to humans we can still question the validity of using an animal study to interpret human behaviour. The Schaffer and Emerson study

The most widely accepted and tested theory on attachment was written by John Bowlby and argues that there is an evolutionary instinct and biological function driving infants to form attachments. Bowlby claimed that there was a critical period of around three and a half years during which an attachment must be formed and that the attachment could not be broken. He also claimed that infants must form one strong attachment with the main caregiver or the infant would experience social and emotional problems later in